Jony Ive, Rivian, and Uber's Future: TechCrunch Mobility

TechCrunch Mobility: Musk, Trump, and the Road Ahead

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A Decade of Tesla and Elon Musk

Having covered Tesla and its CEO, Elon Musk, for ten years, it’s reasonable to offer commentary on the recent public dispute between the billionaire and President Donald Trump. Numerous journalists, commentators, and online personalities have already shared their opinions.

While some analyses are insightful, others fall considerably short of the mark.

History of Alliances and Disagreements

My extensive knowledge and recall allow me to provide some context and forecasts. This isn’t an isolated incident; Musk has a consistent pattern of forming strong partnerships only to later dismantle them.

As Tim De Chant, a senior reporter, pointed out, Musk is currently experiencing a direct introduction to the complexities of political dynamics.

Risk and Behavior

However, Musk’s inclination towards risk-taking and his serious demeanor suggest that acquiring knowledge doesn’t automatically translate into behavioral adjustments.

A cycle of tentative agreements followed by public disagreements is anticipated. This pattern will likely continue.

Broad Implications for Musk’s Enterprises

The consequences of this disagreement are expected to be far-reaching, potentially impacting all of Musk’s ventures. Monitoring Tesla’s electric vehicle sales figures will be crucial.

Furthermore, the potential effects of the proposed “Big, Beautiful Bill” on the automaker’s operations, should it become law, will be closely observed.

Focus on Robotaxis and the Department of Transportation

In the immediate future, attention will be directed towards Tesla’s robotaxi pilot program in Austin, Texas.

The evolving and increasingly strained relationship between Musk and the Trump administration will be analyzed in relation to his interactions with the Department of Transportation.

Prior to the public falling out, Musk actively engaged in lobbying efforts concerning legislation related to autonomous vehicles, specifically the Autonomous Vehicle Acceleration Act, which was introduced on May 15th.

Rivian's Micromobility Origins

Following Rivian’s separation of Also, a micromobility venture supported by Eclipse Ventures, further investigation was initiated. Several sources have provided insights into the evolution of this internal project into an independent entity.

These sources also disclosed an unexpected collaboration: Jony Ive’s design company, LoveFrom, partnered with Rivian’s design team during the skunkworks program. A comprehensive report detailing these developments has been prepared by senior reporter Sean O’Kane and myself.

Confidential Information

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Key Takeaways

• Rivian initially developed micromobility technology internally.
• The project, known as Also, was later spun out as a separate company.
• LoveFrom, Jony Ive’s firm, contributed to the design process.
• Eclipse Ventures provided backing for Also’s development.

Exciting Developments in the Mobility Sector

Generally, memorandums of understanding don't typically capture my interest. However, this particular agreement proved to be an exception.

Joby Aviation and the Saudi Arabian business group Abdul Latif Jameel have entered into a memorandum of understanding to investigate a potential distribution agreement encompassing up to 200 electric aircraft. This preliminary agreement is significant due to Abdul Latif Jameel’s existing investment in Joby.

Should this partnership be finalized, it could offer Joby a streamlined route to generating revenue from its electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles within Saudi Arabia. Converting an investor into a customer can also introduce complexities to the business dynamic (as Amazon and Rivian have experienced).

Notable Deals to Consider

Obvio, a startup based in California that integrates artificial intelligence with cameras at stop signs to identify and address unsafe driving practices, has secured $22 million in Series A funding, led by Bain Capital Ventures. Obvio intends to utilize these funds to broaden its operational reach beyond its initial five cities in Maryland.

Portless, a company specializing in e-commerce fulfillment and logistics, has raised $18 million in a funding round spearheaded by Commerce Ventures, with additional participation from eGateway Capital, Ground Up Ventures, and FJ Labs. Portless employs a business model similar to Shein, deferring tariff costs for brands until an item is sold.

Toma, an AI-driven voice technology startup focused on applications within car dealerships, has raised $17 million across both seed and Series A funding rounds, led by a16z. The startup also received backing from Y Combinator (Toma participated in the January 2024 YC cohort), the Scale Angels Fund, and automotive industry expert Yossi Levi, also known as the Car Dealership Guy.

Insights from Uber’s Leadership Changes

Recent shifts in Uber’s executive structure, alongside statements made by Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, strongly suggest the company’s strategic direction. This isn't merely a hint; it’s a clear indication with “autonomy” as the central theme.

Uber recently announced the appointment of Andrew “Mac” Macdonald to the positions of president and chief operating officer. Simultaneously, the company announced the departure of Pierre-Dimitri Gore-Coty, who previously oversaw Uber’s delivery operations.

Gore-Coty’s former responsibilities will now fall under Macdonald’s purview. Macdonald has been with Uber since 2012 and previously led the mobility and business operations divisions. Notably, he was instrumental in launching Uber’s operations in Toronto 13 years ago and also played a key role in developing the company’s autonomous vehicle strategy.

Mac’s expanded role will integrate oversight of mobility, delivery, and autonomous vehicle initiatives.

During a Bloomberg conference, Khosrowshahi addressed the topic of autonomous vehicles (AVs). He discussed the development of the AV ecosystem and Uber’s investments in companies – Aurora and Waabi – that are pioneering autonomous vehicle technology.

“Our goal is to support the AV ecosystem and facilitate its continued development, ultimately enabling the integration of AVs into the transportation landscape,” he stated. “We believe AVs represent a safer mode of transportation and will ultimately broaden access to secure transportation options in cities for everyone.”

In other Uber news, the company has introduced a new account type featuring a simplified user interface designed for senior citizens.

Recent Developments and Industry Insights

Self-Driving Technology

Tesla has submitted applications to trademark the phrase "Tesla Robotaxi." This action follows previous unsuccessful attempts to secure trademarks for their intended autonomous vehicle service.

Electric Vehicle Ecosystem

A noteworthy story reported by Katie Fehrenbacher of Axios deserves attention. Redwood Materials opted to withdraw from a Department of Energy (DOE) loan that had received conditional approval last year.

To this date, Redwood has not secured any funding from the federal government. A request for clarification was directed to Redwood Materials regarding their decision.

The initial application to the DOE was made in 2021. The evaluation process proved lengthy and financially burdensome for Redwood. Applicants bear the expense of consultants and experts who assess their business and technology.

By 2024, the loan remained conditionally approved. During this period, the company successfully raised over $2 billion in private investment and generated approximately $200 million in revenue.

Ultimately, Redwood concluded that the associated costs and restrictions of the loan surpassed any potential benefits.

Advancements in Drone Delivery

Walmart is expanding its drone delivery service in collaboration with Wing, a subsidiary of Alphabet. This partnership will extend delivery capabilities to a significantly larger customer base.

Wing currently operates from 18 Walmart Supercenters in the Dallas-Forth Worth metropolitan area. The expansion will include establishing operations in five additional U.S. cities: Atlanta, Charlotte, Houston, Orlando, and Tampa.

In total, over 100 stores will be integrated into the delivery network.

Personnel and Legal Matters

Trevor Milton, the founder of Nikola who recently received a pardon, is currently contesting a subpoena issued by his bankrupt trucking company’s creditors.

Prior to Nikola’s bankruptcy filing in February, Milton was indebted to the company for nearly $100 million. This debt stemmed from an arbitration case in 2023 concerning his criminal conviction, which he subsequently lost.